Resuscitator



H. J. ADAMS July 27, 1965 RESUSCITATOR Filed Oct. 5l, 1962 JM A UnitedStates Patent 3,196,866 RESUSCITATR Henry .lames Adams, Sylvania, NewSouth Wales, Australia, assigner to The Commonwealth industrial GasesLimited, Alexandria, New South Wales, Australia, a

corporation of New South Wales Filed Oct. 3l, i962, Ser. No. 234,499 3Claims. (@Jl. t28-29) This invention relates to devices forre-establishing normal breathing when that function has been halted orimpaired by immersion or other suffocatory circumstance.

An object of the invention is to provide a resuscitator which is ofsimple, light-weight inexpensive construction, and which needs only one`air valve whereas prior resuscitators have required at least two airvalves, one for admitting fresh air, and the other for the exhalation ofused air.

A further object of the invention is to provide a resuscitator which canbe applied to the patient without obstructing or impeding the normalbreathing of the patient to any noticeable extent. It should be notedhere that presently known resuscitator devices are so con* structed thatthe patient can breathe normally with the resuscitator still in positionon his face only if his breath is strong enough to exert sufficientpressure to open, and maintain open, a series of Valves of the device.This is of importance where, for example, under emergency or battle-heldconditions there is a large number of patients awaiting attention, andnot enough persons to give that attention, i.e to operate theresuscitator devices. Under these conditions the resuscitator device ofthis invention may be applied to a patient by comparatively unskilledpersonnel and left in position on the patients face without impairingany normal breathing ability which the patient may still have, whilebeing immediately available for operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide a resuscitator havingmeans whereby oxygen, or any other gas, may be added to the air suppliedto a patient from the resuscitator. A more particular object is toprovide an arrangement whereby the so-called dead-space air may bebreathed by the patient. In this connection it will be understood thatwhen a patients lungs are illed with air (or oxygen, or oxygen-enrichedair) from the resuscitator, some of that air does not reach the patientslungs as it serves to fill the air passages from the mouth to the lungs.This dead-space air contains enough oxygen to be still breathable toadvantage. The useful breathing of the dead-space air is of considerableimportance where oxygen is added to the air which is administeredthrough the resuscitator, as supplies of oxygen are often diiiicult toprovide at the scene of anemergency.

A further object is to ensure that the carbon dioxide content of the airwhich is sent into the patients lungs is not appreciably higher than thenatural concentration of carbon dioxide in the air. A feature or" theinvention is that, although the dead-space air can be eiiectivelybreathed by using the resuscitator, this does not give rise to anysubstantial increase in the carbon dioxide content of the air which isactually sent into the patients lungs upon operation of the resuscitatorof the invention. rThis is of importance in improving the resuscitatoryeffect when compared, for example, With the mouth-to-mouth rice methodof resuscitation, in which the air sent into the patients lungs has,unavoidably, a carbon dioxide concentration which is higher than naturalconcentration of carbon dioxide in the air.

Still another feature related to the eiective use of deadspace air isthat such use permits relatively small oxygen containers to be usedquite eiectively: ior example, the small ampoules ot oxygen, whichcontain about 8 litres of that gas (when expanded to atmosphericpressure) and which are commercially available and readily relillable bythe suppliers of oxygen. Alternatively the supply oi oxygen may bederived from the usual commercial cylinders or bulk supply systems.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide aresuscitator which may be used in a completely satisfactory manner forresuscitation with atmospheric air only, should this be ever desirable,or in the event of oxygen being unavailable for the enrichment of theair.

According to this invention there is provided a resuscitator device otthe type having a compressible self-distending reservoir with oneopening, a tubular head member connected to the opening of the headmember having a second opening for connection t0 a face mask or directlyto the breathing organs of a patient, and a third opening leading toatmosphere, characterised in that the head member incorporates aresiliently loaded valve which is adapted to be displaced from itsnormal position to close the third opening whenever the reservoir iscompressed, and remains in that position as long as the pressure withinthe reservoir is in excess of atmospheric pressure by an amount greaterthan the pressure exerted by the resilient load on the valve. Preferablythe device is further provided with a supply tube through which oxygenor other gases can be supplied to the reservoir, characterised in thatthe supply tube is provided with a valve which is adapted to closewhenever the reservoir is compressed.

A presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be describedby way `of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, inwhich:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the resuscitator in use, applied tothe face of a patient;

FlGURE 2 is a cross-sectional view through the resuscitator; and

FIGURE 3 is a detailed prospective view of the valv at the end of theoxygen supply conduit.

The head member l may be moulded or otherwise formed out of any rigidmaterial, such as a suitable plastic material. lt is made in the form ofa tubular T-piece, one of the branches 2 having a common type face mask3 secured airtightly thereto. The reservoir is a generally oval bag iwhich is made from resilient rubber or like material, and has an opening5 at one end, by means of which it is secured to one of the otherbranches 6 of the head member l. The walls of the bag d are slightlythinner in the vicinity of both ends of the bag, whereby theself-distending characteristics of the bag are improved. The thirdbranch 7 of the head member i has ports 3 formed therein whichcommunicate with the atmosphere. A central valve stem 9 projects intothe head member and provides a mounting support for an air spill valvewhich is in the form of -a closure disc 9a. The disc 9a seats upon acircumferential valve seat liti formed in the head member at the innerend of the third T-branch '7. The disc ha is slightly loaded by acompression spring il which keeps the valve normally open. If desired,the

'by the operator.

arcanes spill valve may be in the form of a resilient tlap or aself-opening check valve or the like.

The head mem-ber 1 preferably has a fourth opening for attachment of anoxygen supply pipe 12 and this opening .may be constituted by a shorttube 13 to which the oxygen supply hose 12 may be connected. Anextension hose 12a is joined to the tube 13, leading into the interiorof the bag 4, and carries at its free end a one- Way valve 14 which isable to open freely to allow gas under slight pressure to enter the bagthrough the tubes 12, 12a, but which closes whenever the bag 4 iscompressed to prevent gas flow in the opposite direction.

ln use of the resuscitator, the face mask is applied to the mouth andnostrils of the patient l5, being held there Alternatively, the facemask may be furnished with harness-like straps, elastic head bands,suction caps, or the like by which the resuscitator may be attached tothe patients head with the face mask properly `itted and held in therequired position. If the patient has any breathing ability, thatability may be exercised notwithstanding the presence of theresuscitator as the patients nose and mouth have direct access toatmospheric air through the face mask 3, the opening 2a in the headmember and the atmospheric air ports 8.

Where breathing is to be Started or augmented by use of theresuscitator, it is only necessary for the operator to squeeze thereservoir bag d, which will cause air to 110W from the bag through thehead member, closing the spill valve 9a on the way, and enter, throughthe opening 2a, into the patients lungs. When hand pressure on the'reservoir bag is relaxed, the self-distending property of the bagpermits and encourages exh'alation. At the start of exhalation thedead-space air which is still breathable, is exhaled into the bag 4. Thevalve 9a remains closed during this brief lperiod, whilst the bag slowlyexpands or distende to its normal size. The internal capacity of thereservoir bag 4 and the strength of the spring 11 are so chosen that bythe time the deoxygenated, or used, air is begun to be exhaled from thepatients lungs, the reservoir bag will be fully distended, and the airpressure therein reduced to below the normal exhalation pressure, sothat the valve 9a will be opened by the spring 11. The remainder of theexhalation breath is discharged ydirectly to atmosphere through theopening 2a and the Iair ports 8.

It will be clear that the loading effect of the spring 1l must be suchas will keep the valve 9a open during the exhalation of deoxygenatedair, and hence at all gas pressures within the head member and thereservoir bag which are slightly above atmospheric, i.e. which can becreated therein by exhalation. When the bag is squeezed however, a gaspressure lof approximately 0.25 inch of water will suffice to close thespill valve.

Where oxygen is to be used and a source thereof attached to the pipe 12,such source will, of course, be furnished with its own ow control meansby which the rate at which oxygen is able to enter the head member maybe controlled.

It will be appreciated that various changes may be made in resuscitatorsas herein described without departure from the essence of the invention:for example, the self-distending ability of the reservoir bag may beassisted by inclusion in the bag of a compression spring, or other meanswhich will help the bag to return to its normal shape after it has beencompress-ed. In this connection it will be apparent that the bag neednot be made of resilient material, in that it may have a concertina orbellows shape, and may also incorporate springs or other expansion ordistension aiding devices.

I claim:

1. A resuscitator comprising a compressible, self-distending reservoirhaving an opening which constitutes an lair inlet to and an air outletfrom the reservoir; a hollow head member connected to said opening, saidhead member having an inlet passage communicating with the reservoir, anoutlet passage for connection to a face mask, and at least one aperturecommunicating with the atmosphere; and a resiliently biased valvemovable between inlet and outlet controlling positions in the headmember, said valve including a valve stem which projects into theinterior of the head member and extends past said outlet passage fromthe head member in a direction toward said inlet passage, a transverselydisposed disc on said valve stem, said disc being adapted to slide alongsaid valve stem, a valve seat for the disc in the vicinity of said`aperture in the head member, and a spring which extends along saidvalve stem, said spring being normally operative to maintain the discaway from said valve seat at the inner end of the valve stem; said valvebeing directly operative by air pressure to close said aperture in thehead member whenever the reservoir is compressed, and is adapted toremain in the closed position as long as the pressure within thereservoir and head member exceeds normal human exhalation pressure.

2. A resuscitator comprising a compressible, self-distending Vreservoirhaving an opening which constitutes an air inlet to and an air outletfrom the reservoir; a hollow head member connected to said opening, saidhead member having an inlet passage communicating with the reservoir, anoutlet passage for connection to a face mask, and at least one aperturecommunicating with the atmosphere; and a resiliently biased valve in thehead member, said valve including a valve stem which projects into theinterior of the head member and extends past said outlet passage fromthe hcad member in a direction toward said inlet passage, a transverselydisposed disc on said valve stem, said disc being ladapted to slidealong said valve stem, a valve seat for the disc in the vicinity of saidaperture in the head member, and a spring which extends along said valvestem, said spring being normally operative to maintain the disc awayfrom said valve seat at the inner end of the valve stem; said valveAbeing directly operative by air pressure to close said aperture in thehead member whenever the reservoir is compressed, yand is adapted toremain in the closed position as long as the pressure within thereservoir and head member exceeds normal human exhalation pressure; andwherein there is a further inlet passage in the head member, saidfurther inlet passage being adapted to be connected to a supply ofoxygen, a tubular conduit connected to said further inlet passage andextending into the interior of the reservoir, land a one-way valve atthe end of the conduit, said valve being adapted to admit oxygen to thereservoir and to prevent the oxygen-air mixture from flowing out of thereservoir through said conduit and said further inlet passage.

3. A resuscitator comprising a compressible, selfdistending reservoirhaving an opening which constitutes an air inlet to and an air outletfrom the reservoir; a hollow head member connected to said opening, saidhead member having an inlet passage communicating with the reservoir, anoutlet passage for connection to a face mask, and at least one aperturecommunicating with the atmosphere; and a resiliently biased valve in thehead member, said Valve including a valve stem which projects into theinterior of the head member and extends past said outlet passage fromthe head member in a direction toward said inlet passage, a transverselydisposed disc on said valve Stem, said disc being adapted to slide alongsaid valve stem, a valve seat for the disc in the vicinity of saidaperture in the head member, and a spring which extends `along saidvalve stem, said spring being normally operative to maintain the discaway from said valve seat at the inner end of the valve stem; said valvebeing directly operative by air pressure to close said aperture in thehead member whenever the reservoir is compressed, and is adapted toremain in the closed position as long as the .pressure within thereservoir and head member exceeds normal human exhalation pressure; andwherein there is a further inlet passage in the head member, saidfurther inlet passage being adapted to be connected to a supply `ofoxygen, a tubular conduit connected to said further inlet passage andextending into the interior of the reser- Voir, and a one-Way Valve atthe end of the conduit, said valve being adapted to admit oxygen to thereservoir, and to prevent the oxygen-air mixture from ilowing out of thereservoir through said conduit and said further inlet passage; andwherein said one-Way valve is constituted by a folded sleeve which isStted over the end of the conduit, `said sleeve being adapted to openout to admit oxygen to the reservoir from the conduit, and being adaptedto collapse, olosingthe conduit, whenever the reservoir is compressed.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,399,643 5/46Kreiselman 128-29 2,452,722 11/48 Boothby et al. 128-20-2 2,871,854-2/59 Lambert'sen 12S-142 3,046,978 7/62v Lea 128--29 FOREIGN PATENTS1,256,024 2/61 France.

OTHER REFERENCES Anesthesiology, A New Resuscitation Apparatus, IosephKreiselman, vol. 4, November 1943 pp. 608-611.

RICHARD A. GAUDET, Primary Examiner.

1. A RESUSCITATOR COMPRISING A COMPRESSIBLE, SELF-DISTENDING RESERVOIRHAVING AN OPENING WHICH CONSTITUTES AN AIR INLET TO AND AN AIR OUTLETFROM THE RESERVOIR; A HOLLOW HEAD MEMBER CONNECTED TO SAID OPENING, SAIDHEAD MEMBER HAVING AN INLET PASSAGE COMMUNICATING WITH THE RESERVOIR, ANOUTLET PASSAGE FOR CONNECTION TO A FACE MASK, AND AT LEAST ONE APERTURECOMMUNICATING WITH THE ATMOSPHERE; AND A RESILIENTLY BIASED VALVEMOVABLE BETWEEN INLET AND OUTLET CONTROLLING POSITIONS IN THE HEADMEMBER, SAID VALVE INCLUDING A VALVE STEM WHICH PROJECTS INTO THEINTERIOR OF THE HEAD MEMBER AND EXTENDS PAST SAID OUTLET PASSAGE FROMTHE HEAD MEMBER IN A DIRECTION TOWARD SAID INLET PASSAGE, A TRANSVERSELYDISPOSED DISC ON SAID VALVE STEM, SAID DISC BEING ADAPTED TO SLIDE ALONGSAID VALVE STEM, A VALVE SEAT FOR THE DISC IN THE VICINITY OF SAIDAPERTURE IN THE HEAD MEMBER, AND A SPRING WHICH EXTENDS ALONG SAID VALVESTEM, SAID SPRING BEING NORMALLY OPERATIVE TO MAINTAIN THE DISC AWAYFROM SAID VALVE SEAT AT THE INNER END OF THE VALVE STEM; SAID VALVEBEING DIRECTLY OPERATIVE BY AIR PRESSURE TO CLOSE SAID APERTURE IN THEHEAD MEMBER WHENEVER THE RESERVOIR IS COMPRESSED, AND IS ADAPTED TOREMAIN IN THE CLOSE POSITION AS LONG AS THE PRESSURE WITHIN THERESERVOIR AND HEAD MEMBER EXCEEDS NORMAL HUMAN EXHALATION PRESSURE.